Paris, France – As the highly anticipated global plastics treaty talks kick off this week in Paris, a spirited debate has emerged between nations advocating for reduced plastic production and the petrochemical industry, which favors recycling as the ultimate solution to the plastic waste crisis.
In the lead-up to the meeting, numerous countries have emphasized the importance of “circularity” as a primary objective of the treaty. This concept revolves around keeping already-produced plastic items in circulation for as long as possible, minimizing their environmental impact.
A coalition of 55 nations has called for a robust treaty that includes restrictions on hazardous chemicals and bans on problematic plastic products that are difficult to recycle and often end up polluting nature. The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, co-chaired by Rwanda’s environment minister, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, underscores the necessity of safeguarding human health and the environment from harmful polymers and chemicals of concern through the treaty.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the urgency of the matter, stating, “There is no time to lose.” He stressed the need to reach a consensus on the treaty’s text by the end of 2024, a year prior to the United Nations Conference on Oceans in Nice.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), serving as the host for the talks, recently unveiled a blueprint outlining measures to reduce plastic waste by 80% by 2040. The report emphasized three key areas of action: reuse, recycling, and transitioning plastic packaging to alternative materials.
However, some environmental groups have criticized the report for its focus on waste management, perceiving it as a concession to the global plastics and petrochemical industry. These groups argue that real solutions to the plastics crisis necessitate global regulation of chemicals in plastics and significant reductions in plastic production.
In response, the industry has formed the Global Partners for Plastics Circularity, which advocates for mechanical and chemical recycling as the central pillars of its position. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen defended the inclusion of recycling in the report, stating that critics overlook the broader recommendations for overhauling packaging and reducing overall plastic consumption.
Delegates are still deliberating on the treaty’s core objectives, including potential bans on certain plastics and strategies for improving waste management. Key issues yet to be resolved include financing policies and establishing mechanisms for implementation and reporting.
Throughout the week, numerous countries have expressed concerns about public health, highlighting it as a priority in curbing plastic production and waste. The UNEP report also identified approximately 13,000 chemicals associated with plastic production, over 3,000 of which are considered hazardous. Greenpeace recently released a report based on scientific research papers suggesting that plastic recycling processes can release chemicals, including benzene, into the environment.
Although the United States is not part of the coalition, a State Department official confirmed that it shares the group’s ambition. The United States favors an approach where countries develop their own national action plans, similar to the Paris climate agreement. In collaboration with UNEP, the U.S. plans to announce a grant this week to assist developing countries in taking immediate action to combat plastic pollution.
As the treaty talks unfold, stakeholders from various sectors are hoping for a breakthrough that will pave the way for effective global measures to address the plastic waste crisis. With the devastating environmental consequences becoming increasingly apparent, the urgency to find sustainable solutions has never been greater.
